George Albert Durgin, of Englewood, FL, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by loved ones, on November 26, 2025, at the age of 85.

Born in Portland, Maine and raised in Gray, he was the eldest child of four of the late Paul Lloyd Durgin and Evelyn Adelle Morrill. In his early years he attended the Gray public schools, participating in basketball, baseball, track, cross country, student council, the Key Club, drama club, science fairs, and learned to play the trumpet. He was also very active with Boy Scouts of America, ultimately receiving his Eagle Scout award when he was only 13 1/2 years old. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandfather, working in the woods and sawmill together. He graduated from Pennell Institute in 1958 in the top of his class.

Thanks to the encouragement of his high school science teacher, George applied and was accepted to the University of Maine, Orono and was the first in his family to attend college. There, he studied engineering physics and enjoyed activities and brotherhood in the Sigma Nu fraternity, graduating with his Bachelor of Science degree on June 3, 1962. While in his freshman year of college, George learned about a Platoon Leaders course offered by the United States Marine Corps, for full-time college students interested in becoming a Marine Corps officer. He spent 6-week sessions during the summers of his Freshman and Sophomore college years at Quantico, receiving training and entered the USMC as a 2nd Lieutenant on June 23, 1962, serving as an aircraft maintenance engineer.

George had a brilliant mind. He loved analyzing and solving complex problems, and received many patents for his inventions in aerospace engineering during his professional career. Following his service in the military, George began full-time employment at General Electric as a turbine design engineer in their Aircraft Engine division, working on the GE engine for supersonic transport. From there he went to work for Boeing as a fuel system engineer, developing a new fuel system for Chinook helicopters used in the Vietnam War. Westinghouse Electric Industrial Turbines was his next job, where he used his knowledge from the military and developed turbine designs for high temperature cooling and heating. GE came calling again and he went to Schenectady, NY, becoming a project manager for a large power generation turbine design. He continued on with GE, taking a final position in Cincinnati, OH where he was responsible for new, big-engine turbine designs for commercial aircraft. Even retirement couldn't keep him from using his skills, as he maintained professional engineering licenses in New York and Florida and was called upon by former coworkers for help with their projects.

George was a man of faith, love, and service. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gave his all in each calling he held. He always looked out for those in need of his help, a kind word, or a pat on the back. He was one of the first to volunteer his time on cleanup crews with "Helping Hands" following natural disasters, earning him the nickname, "Chainsaw Durgin." He loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, and wanted to be an instrument in God's hands. When once asked about what he felt was his greatest strength he wrote, "My strength is a willingness to offer help in those areas that I feel competent. These strengths don't mean anything unless you have a desire to use them for yourself or for others that need assistance."

George was patient, kind, compassionate, a deep thinker, found joy in being active, and had a fun sense of humor. He would offer help with auto mechanics, plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry. He donated over 10 gallons of blood to the Red Cross. He helped construct homes with Habitat For Humanity. He served for years as an adult Boy Scout Leader, sharing his skills and taking the boys on camping adventures. He enjoyed playing bridge and participating on an adult league softball team. He was a Master Mason and Shriner. He was a true patriot, with a deep love for this country, the Constitution of the United States, and history. He was a collector of coins, brightly colored Jerry Garcia ties, and as he said, "a collector of friends."

He loved his wife, Carol, his children, grandchildren, and dear friends who were like family. George and Carol enjoyed traveling together and made many lasting memories with friends in Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, Brazil, the Bahamas, England, Mexico, and the Kingdom of Tonga. Some of these trips included sailing, which he dearly loved. Making special memories with loved ones is what he lived, worked, and prayed for. His family was most often the recipient of help in what he termed, "projects." He spent hours tutoring in math and chemistry, traveled to attend family sports competitions, exhibitions, and graduations, helped construct doll houses and jewelry boxes, spent time working on Scout badges, made simple household chores seem interesting, and the list goes on, without end! As soon as one project was done he would be asking, "what's the next project?!" He was the biggest champion of his children and grandchildren, was always praying for their success and happiness, was a mentor, and will forever be their biggest cheerleader!

George's great example, his love, intelligence, compassion, acts of service, and the grounding presence he was in this life will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He is truly loved and valued, and we look forward to the blessing it will be to see him again one day!

George is survived by his loving wife, Carol (Wood) Durgin; daughters, Wendy Shahub (Naser); Karen Durgin; Dianne Cote (Donnie); Kelly Harris (Duane); and sons, Craig Durgin (Heather); and Doug Moulton (Vicki); 12 granddaughters; 3 grandsons; and 5 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, 1 brother, and 1 grandson.

A special celebration of his life will be held on January 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3000 E Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34292. Entombment, with military honors, will be held at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Civic Center Drive, Augusta, ME at a later date. For those attending the celebration of his life, please dress comfortably. Outside of his Sunday dress, George was all about his comfy shorts and t-shirts. Whatever you do choose to wear, please accessorize with a colorful tie in his honor, as he loved his collection of Jerry Garcia ties! In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in George's honor to Shriners Children's, St. Jude, the Wounded Warrior Project, OR an honorary blood donation at Red Cross.